The Big Day

Hello everyone. Its the fill in for Loose Screws giving everyone the update. Sorry for the delayed post but I couldn't access the Blogger from the internet at the Seton Hall. Here is a picture of L.S. himself with his L.S.jr. The apple seriously didn't fall far from the tree...





So, we show up at the House Institute so my dad can get the admission package to be admitted into St. Vincent Medical Center. He gets the package. We go across the street to the hospital, he gets admitted. This is us in the waiting room.






We are able to spend about 45 mins with him because they were able to bump up his time to go in by an hour. We wheeled him up to the pre-op room where one of the docs (can't remember his name...) asked him a series of questions and gave him the option of carrying out with the operation or running out the door.



My dad agreed to go threw with it. So he proceeded to put his gown on and get all those nifty I.V. tubes in and was ready for action. I could tell he was scared but hey, who wouldn't be when they are about to have pretty much brain surgery.








Here is pops with the famous Magic Scarf. I could only imagine what was going threw his head.









So, the operation went well. Its hard not to think of all the wrong that could happen. You think up all these things and then when you find out he's done, nothing is wrong! I mean he can't really hear out of his right ear but hopefully some of it will restore. Here are some pics of pops post-op.






Thumbs up. That must be a good sign. He was already cracking jokes the next day. Here's some other pics of the gang.





So everyone, that's as far as it has come. I thank you for all the prayers and phone calls we have received from everyone. Stay tuned for another update-

The Waitings Over

I sure hope everyones right about the waiting being the hardest part because I'm telling you, the mind can really go to some crazy places.

I wonder where my mind will take me on morphine?

Well upon checking this blog I see my son has figured out his way around posting new entries. I apologize now for whoever he's about to insult. I knew I shouldn't have said those things in front of him when he was a kid.

Well I'm going to keep this short, I think I've said all there is that needs to be said for now. I'm going to spend these last few hours with my most special person. I really don't know how she puts up with me. But I sure love her for doing it.

My girl, who has been there for me when I most need her. Thank You.

PS. Special thanks to all you fellow ANrs. You've made it not such a scary thing.

Surgery Eve

Good morning everyone. This is Michael (little Mike as my family knows me...) taking another swing at this "blog" thing. Its Surgery Eve and I'm...yeah...getting a little nervous. I can only imagine how my dad is feeling though.

I know one thing, I am going threw this with total faith that everything will work out one way or another. I mean if you think about it, its not really up to any one of us. Call it God, Higher Power, the Creator, Nature, Science,etc... who ever it is, whatever it is, is in control. It makes me wonder what my dad is believing in. He was never really the "God type" but something like this may make you start thinking differently...

Yesterday was a good day. We started the morning by watching my daughter's soccer game. After the game, we went back to dad's house to sit and visit with my grandparents. My mother's parents came over and with my dad's mother there, which equaled some good conversations. Later on in the evening, a lot of our family came over to the house to watch the Paquiao vs Cotto fight. And when I say family, its neighbors, close friends and actual family. But that's the way we roll. We all hung out and just looked at pictures, talked about old times, and saw Cotto get his ass kicked...haha! I'm glad that we all hung out all day to get my dad's mind off the surgery.

As I said, it is the day before the surgery, and all is well. I am enjoying a morning with my 1 1/2 yr old daughter Ariana and my big cup of coffee. So, until tomorrow, I am going to truly enjoy my morning by getting off my computer. Have a good day everyone-

Three Days Till...

Hello everyone. This is Mike's (Loose Screws as you all know him) son Michael. This is my first ever attempt at a blog so give me a chance...haha.
As you know, my dad is about to have his surgery in three days. He has asked me to carry on his blog for him while he is down. So, I will be inputting my ideas, feelings, and views before, during and after the surgery.
To be completely honest, I am scared. When I first heard the news about this whole thing, I was completely blown away. I mean it's not like he has a baseball size tumor in his head, but that's where it took me. As I did more research about AN, I felt a little more at ease. The whole procedure (don't get me wrong) is a pretty crazy process. I am glad that I get to be there for my dad because he has always been there for me. When I was growing up, I knew right from wrong and did wrong anyway, and he was there. My step brother, step mother, my grandmother and I will be staying at the hospital with my dad until he is ready to go home.
So a little about myself. I am 25 yrs old with two beautiful daughters (as I'm sure you've seen the pics) living in peaceful little Lomita, CA. I probably could throw a rock and hit my dad's house. I wouldn't do that of course...haha. I work at a publishing company in Commerce and faithfully go to work every day. Okay, enough of me...
I am glad that my dad has an outlet to talk and meet people who all have had, or who are newly diagnosed with AN. I thank everyone for being there because I'm sure it makes everyone happy to know that they are not alone. So, I wondered what the leopard print scarf was in his pocket. He took me to the computer and showed me the pictures of everyone with it. I thought his screws got real loose! But after he enlightened me on the whole Magic Scarf concept, it made me feel better now knowing that my dad has faith that everything is going to be okay.
So on that note, I am closing out, taking a shower and going to bed. You will be hearing from me soon... Good Night Everyone-

Final pre-op Good to go

This was the second most day I've thought about for the last few weeks, The final pre-op testing and meeting my neurosurgeon for the first and last time before surgery on monday.

Dr Schwartz, the neurosurgeon who will seperate all the wires in the harness and figure out which one goes where while trying not to touch the wrong ones and cut the right one met with my mother and I today to explain the process and answer all my questions. He actually did a excellent job. I only had about a hundred or so questions for him when he was done explaining things.

Today was also the day where they test your hearing, brainstem response and your balance. Here is the first test of the day. This one takes place in a recliner. Not bad.

This next test was a balance test. They put these goggles on you then blast your ears with cold and hot water. During this test they watch your eyes (you can see them on the monitor). It does make you feel dizzy.

Now come on how could you not want a brain tumor? Take a look at these sweet young ladies they have testing you. HEIs Nichole Greene and Laura Hernandez.

After the testing and consultation with Dr. Schwartz we were very lucky to meet a group of the most compassionate people that you could ever meet.

This is Dennis. He's here from Michigan with his wife Julie and he just had his tumor removed Wednesday Nov. the 4th, only 9 days ago. No, that's not piece of lingerie from one of the girls above he's handing to me, it's the famous magic scarf. It gets passed from one AN patient for surgery to the next waiting to have surgery. Since the discovery of my tumor I've gotten to know the last three people who've had possession of this magic scarf, Cheryl, Amy and Dennis. And they all lived. I've been fortunate enough to communicate with all three through there surgeries and they all have helped me more then they realize. Before Dennis getting the scarf I believe it's always been a girls thing. Way to go Dennis, it just proves that were not homophobes and were willing to take whatever magic there maybe in this scarf.

This is the welcoming committee in LA who greet all those who come to the House Ear Institute from all over the country and I think I heard them say they even have met some international visitors, to have their Acoustic Neuromas removed. You will never meet a nicer more compassionate group of people then Nancy and David and others who couldn't make it today. They come on their own free time to comfort others and answer any questions you might have, having gone through the surgery themselves. I know Dennis and I were both very thankful for their kindness. Well in a few days I can proudly wear my scar like these others and then I'll really fit in. The others that were their were my mother Diane and Dennis's wife Julie. We had a nice time.

Thanks to everyone who's given me words of encouragement.

Mike

2 months of yard work in 1 day

Happy Veterans Day.

Nothing like a little yard work to clear your mind. Not your nose though it's full of gunk. Since I won't be doing any more for a couple of months, I did a couple of months of yard work today.

I received some messages today from Dennis, Cheryl and Amy (previous AN surgery recipients). I feel very lucky to have them to talk to. Hearing about their progress good and bad puts you in the right frame of mind to prepare yourself for the big day. Thanks all of you.

We are planing a meeting Friday with a few other AN surgery recipients at the House Ear Institute. It will be comforting to meet all those who've gone before me and give me some answers to some of the last minute questions I have. I'm looking forward to it.

Tomorrow will be a busy day. My mother is driving in from Arizona, Pam and I will be driving out to Newbury Park to pick-up our granddaughter for the weekend. No time to dwell and may be no time to add to blog.

Mike

Goodbye work (for a while)

Today was a good day. No balance issues, hearing was so so and only a slight headache on AN side.

Today was also my last at work before my Monday date with Dr. Brackmann and Dr Schwartz. It was a very odd feeling when I left work today. It left me wondering what it would feel like when I return for my first day back.

I feel very fortunate to have colleagues that care enough to give me their best wishes and keep me in there prayers. I really need that. Thanks to all of you.

I told my colleagues that I plan to return on January 4th. Thats my goal if all goes well, I hope to live up to my expectations.

I'm lucky to have these 5 days to take care of the loose ends and spend some quality time with my family. It keeps you from dwelling on the surgery.

For others facing surgery I highly recommend spending as much time with your family as possible before your surgery, especially the little ones. They have a special way of putting a smile on your face. Again do what you can to keep your mind off things.

We finally have all our arrangements in order so were ready for Monday.

My little ones that keep me smiling.

Mike.